If you’re a trail runner, adventure athlete, or just a fan of watches that can take a beating and keep going, you might want to keep an eye on Suunto.
The company hasn’t officially said much, but recent activity around the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) strongly suggests that a new Suunto smartwatch is on the way — and it’s being tested in the wild before it even hits the market.
Here’s what’s happening — and why it matters for people who rely on their gear when it counts.
A Quiet, Real-World Test Instead of a Flashy Launch
Instead of dropping teasers or flashy promo videos, Suunto is doing something refreshingly different — they’re recruiting real runners competing in UTMB 2025 to test what they’re calling a “new off-road watch.”
These athletes will wear the unreleased device during one of the most grueling endurance races on the planet.
If you’re not familiar, UTMB is a multi-country ultra-marathon in the Alps, circling Mont Blanc through France, Italy, and Switzerland.
This isn’t just a clever marketing move. It’s an innovative, human-first way to test the watch in the conditions it’s built for.
Heat, cold, altitude, exhaustion — there’s no better way to know if a watch can perform than by putting it on someone who’s pushing themselves to the edge.
From Leaks to Reality: Are We Looking at the Race 2 or Vertical 2?
This isn’t the first sign that Suunto has new hardware in the works.
A few weeks ago, two product names — Suunto Race 2 and Suunto Vertical 2 — briefly appeared in the Suunto app.
They were pulled quickly, but screenshots made their way across the internet.
Not long after, a Norwegian retail site listed the Race 2 with a price tag of around $680 and a tentative release date of August 14.
That’s about $200 more than the current Race model. In the tech world, a jump like that doesn’t usually mean a new paint job — it means real upgrades.
What Might Be New (and Useful) for Everyday Athletes
While there are no official specs yet, here’s what people close to the brand — and years of Suunto design patterns — suggest we might see:
Display & Navigation
Expect a sharp AMOLED touchscreen, likely paired with a digital crown for quick menu scrolling.
Rumors point to a more refined design that keeps things rugged but a little sleeker.
Performance & Training
Suunto’s been investing in innovative coaching tools, so we’ll likely see more personalized metrics and upgraded Coach AI insights.
You’ll probably still get 95+ sport modes, maybe more.
Dual-Band GPS
This will likely be a standard now, giving more reliable GPS accuracy in harsh environments like forests or mountain ranges.
A GNSS firmware upgrade may also make tracking faster and more responsive.
Smarter Software
The user interface on previous models could sometimes feel a bit clunky.
This new one is rumored to be smoother and more responsive — a big plus for people who want their watch to work during a run, ride, or hike.
Battery That Lasts
The first Suunto Race had impressive battery life. Early signs point to similar — or better — endurance, which is excellent news for multi-day adventures or long races.
Health & Recovery Tools
A new heart rate sensor, better HRV tracking, sleep insights, and more consistent notification handling would bring the latest models up to par with the best fitness trackers and smartwatches out there.
Why Testing at UTMB Matters
Here’s the part that stands out: Suunto isn’t testing its new watch in a lab or with elite influencers.
They’re putting it on real athletes, in one of the most challenging races in the world. That tells us two things:
- They care about real performance, not just press photos.
- They’re listening to the people who use these watches out in the wild, not just in a gym.
For runners, hikers, and outdoor lovers, that’s a big deal.
Final Thoughts: Worth Waiting For?
If you’re in the market for a rugged, high-performance smartwatch, it might be worth holding off for just a few more weeks.
Between the August 14th rumored release and the UTMB race starting August 29, Suunto seems ready to show off what’s next.
And if all of this pans out? We’re looking at a smartwatch made for people who don’t just talk about adventure — they live it.
Stay tuned. I’ll be updating this story the moment Suunto drops official news, specs, or early user impressions.
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